As the golden brilliance filled Emilia’s room, the divine light burned brighter than the morning sun.
The intricate runes beneath their feet shimred and pulsed like a living thing, threads of radiance weaving upward and curling gently around Snow’s body.
The golden flas enveloped her completely — not with searing heat, but with a deep, tranquil warmth that seed to lt every trace of fatigue or corruption within her.
Her pale hair glowed like spun silver beneath the light, and the air itself shimred in harmony with the divine energy flowing through the room.
The radiance humd softly, alive and rhythmic, before beginning to fade.
As the final motes of light drifted away like golden petals in the air, both girls slowly opened their eyes.
Snow’s breath escaped her lips in a gentle sigh, her expression calm and lightened as though a great burden had been lifted.
"Is it done now?" she asked softly, her voice almost reverent, feeling the comfortable warmth still lingering deep inside her chest.
Emilia nodded, lowering her clasped hands, a few stray wisps of divine glow still flickering between her fingers.
"Yes..." she said breathlessly. For a brief instant, her blue eyes turned a shining white, illuminated by traces of sacred light. She gazed directly at Snow, a faint smile forming on her lips.
"Mhm... it looks like everything is okay, Princess. The goddess’s blessed flas have etched themselves within your soul. From now on, no darkness or curse will be able to touch your spirit."
Snow blinked, slightly surprised. "I thought this ritual was only ant for purification?"
Emilia giggled softly, brushing her hair aside with a sheepish smile.
"Well, yes, but... I added a bit more blessing into it. Hehe~ Consider it a little bonus from ."
’Senior Riley should be even more satisfied with this right?’
Snow let out a faint laugh — warm, graceful, the sound like soft bells.
"I see... Then, you have my most sincere gratitude, Saintess. In the near future, I will ensure you receive proper thanks for this kindness."
"N-No, please, that’s not necessary!" Emilia waved her hands quickly, flustered.
"It was my personal decision anyway! Ah—but please, if you could, don’t tell Amon, Anna, or anyone else about this. Actually, the dium required for the Golden Fla’s blessing includes a blessed divine chalice, and, um, I sort of borrowed it without... official permission."
Snow smiled knowingly, her expression gentle.
"Don’t worry, Saintess. I had no plans to tell a soul to begin with. Your secret is safe with ."
Relief washed over Emilia’s face. She bead, radiant and pure, as she reached out her hands to help Snow stand. "Thank you, Princess. I’m really glad the ritual went well..."
Snow took her hand, rising gracefully to her feet, the faint golden glow still clinging to her like a halo.
For a mont, both won simply smiled at each other
Emilia’s hands trembled slightly as she turned toward Riley.
The golden runes still glowed faintly beneath her feet, humming with the lingering warmth of divine energy.
Her eyes darted briefly between the two of them before landing on him—on the man standing calmly, the faint light reflecting off his eyes.
"S–Senior," she said softly, voice almost breaking, "it’s... your turn now."
Her tone carried an unusual nervousness, the kind that didn’t suit her usual calm saintly composure.
Her cheeks turned a soft shade of pink as her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her cloak.
She couldn’t et his gaze for long, and even Snow noticed the subtle change in her behavior.
Snow tilted her head slightly, one brow rising in quiet amusent.
But rather than pry, she only smiled faintly and said nothing—watching instead how the scene unfolded.
Riley turned his attention to Snow, stepping closer until his hand gently brushed the side of her face.
His fingers tucked a few loose strands of silver hair behind her ear, his touch calm, steady, and warm.
"Are you okay now, Snow?" he asked quietly.
"Yes," she replied softly, eyes half-closed under his touch. "I was already fine to begin with... but I greatly appreciate the effort nonetheless."
"I see."
A brief silence passed between them, one filled with a gentle sort of understanding.
Then Snow turned her gaze back toward Emilia, her expression thoughtful but kind.
"Although you said everything is fine, Saintess," she began, "I’m sure conducting this ritual placed a heavy burden on you. So please, allow to at least compensate you properly."
"Eh? N-No, it’s fine! It didn’t really cost—"
"Just send the details later," Snow interrupted, her tone soft yet firm. "That divine cup you ntioned earlier must have cost the church quite a fortune, didn’t it?"
"T-That is..."
"So don’t be stubborn," Snow continued with a light sigh. "I know you’re doing all this out of goodwill, and I appreciate it deeply—but at least let show my gratitude this way. And besides..."
Her gaze briefly flicked toward Riley, a small knowing smile tugging at her lips.
"I don’t know what kind of deal Riley made with you to make this possible, but I imagine it wasn’t sothing small."
Emilia’s blush deepened as she froze mid-motion. "T-That’s... well..."
Her voice trailed off, eyes darting toward Riley again before she quickly looked away, pretending to adjust her cloak.
Snow chuckled softly at her reaction.
She didn’t press any further, but the subtle amusent in her tone made it clear she’d caught on to sothing Emilia would rather keep hidden.
Riley, on the other hand, just sighed lightly. "Snow, there’s no need to make a fuss over it," he said. "She agreed to help of her own accord."
Snow smiled gently at him, though her eyes still lingered on Emilia for a mont longer—warm, but sharp enough to read her like an open book.
"Of course, I only ant to express my thanks. After all... not everyone would go this far for us."
Snow watched Emilia quietly, the corners of her lips curving into a knowing smile as the saintess fumbled with her cloak and words.
For a mont, Snow simply observed her—the way the young girl’s nervousness fluttered like a small bird in her chest, her reactions too pure to be hidden.
Finally, Snow gave a small, satisfied nod.
"I see... I guess you’re part of us in this life too," she murmured under her breath.
"Hm? Did you say sothing?" Riley asked, tilting his head slightly toward her.
Snow just smiled faintly, her expression warm but secretive.
"It’s nothing," she said lightly before turning her attention back to Emilia.
"Anyhow, Saintess, if you ever find yourself in trouble—whatever it may be—please don’t hesitate to ask or Riley for help."
"B-but that’s—"
"Don’t worry," Snow interrupted with a gentle smile, her tone both kind and certain. "Friends are supposed to help each other, right?"
"T-that’s..." Emilia blinked, eyes widening slightly before softening. "Alright."
Her heart thumped softly against her chest, her lips curling into a small, almost bashful smile.
She hadn’t expected Snow to say sothing like that—to treat her as an equal, a friend. It was disarming in the best possible way.
"Hehe..." she let out a small laugh, unable to hold back her warmth.
Snow nodded once more, clearly satisfied, before stepping aside toward the edge of the glowing ritual circle.
"Then, I’ll leave the rest to you two," she said calmly, taking a seat nearby to watch.
Riley turned his attention to Emilia, who was still standing stiffly at the center of the room. "Should I kneel as well, Saintess?"
"N-No! You don’t need to, Senior!" she blurted out quickly, her voice jumping a little higher than she intended.
Riley blinked, tilting his head again. "Are you sure?"
"Y-Yes! It’s... unnecessary for this kind of ritual!" she said, waving her hands quickly, trying to hide her growing embarrassnt.
It was only then that she realized just how close he was. He stood before her—taller, broader, far more imposing than she’d expected.
From this distance, the light of the runes traced along his golden hair, making it shimr faintly like spun sunlight.
His eyes—a deep, calm blue—t hers directly, and for a second, she forgot to breathe.
’S-Senior’s face is even more handso than I rembered...’ she thought frantically, her pulse racing.
’His hair... it really shines in the light... and his eyes, they’re so... deep. His shoulders, his fra—it’s all so strong and solid... I can tell even under his clothes, his muscles are firm... maybe even more than the paladins back in the Holy Kingdom—’
"Saintess?"
"E-Eh!? U-Uhh—ah, y-yes!?" Emilia snapped back to reality, her cheeks turning bright pink.
Riley looked at her with quiet confusion, a faint amused smile tugging at his lips.
"Uhm... when are we going to start?" he asked calmly.
"R-Right! T-the ritual, of course!" Emilia said quickly, clasping her hands together and forcing her gaze down to the glowing runes, trying to bury her embarrassnt under focus.
Snow, sitting quietly at the side, watched the two with a faint smile of her own.
Her blue eyes glead knowingly.
Emilia drew in a deep breath, her chest rising as she tried to steady herself.
Her heart pounded wildly in her chest—she could feel every beat.
Slowly, she exhaled, then took another breath, this ti calr, more deliberate.
Her trembling finally eased just enough for her to speak.
She turned first toward Snow, then back at Riley, her face flushed and uncertain. "U-Uhm... Princess... S-Senior..."
Both of them answered in unison, "Yes?"
"P-Please... don’t get mad at !" she blurted out, her voice small but desperate.
The two exchanged a quick, puzzled glance.
"Mad?" Snow murmured softly, brows knitting slightly.
Riley tilted his head, already sensing sothing strange.
Then, without another word, Emilia reached for the clasp at her neck and began to undo her robe.
The thick, white ceremonial cloth slid off her shoulders and down her arms, falling in a soft heap to the floor like drifting snow.
Riley’s eyes widened instantly.
"Junior, what are you—"
Underneath, Emilia wasn’t completely bare—but the garnt she wore was shockingly thin, a silken underdress that clung to her shape far too closely.
The pure white fabric shimred faintly under the divine light, nearly transparent in so parts, revealing the soft outlines of her figure.
"P-Please don’t stare t-too much!" she stamred, clutching her hands in front of her chest. "I-I know it looks improper b-but it’s part of the ritual! I-It’s a purification-communication requirent, so please just... pretend it’s not strange!"
"...Alright," Riley replied awkwardly, clearing his throat and trying to look anywhere but directly at her.
Even Snow, from where she stood, blinked once in surprise, her expression unreadable.
Then, before either of them could react further, Emilia stepped forward and took Riley’s hands in hers.
Her fingers, small and trembling, intertwined with his firmly.
The warmth of her touch caught him off guard—it wasn’t timid anymore, it was determined, even if she was still shaking.
Her hands tightened around his.
"U-Uhm... S-Senior..."
"Yes?"
Her voice trembled—but she didn’t let go.
"P-Please... kiss !"
"..."
"..."
The world seed to stop for a mont.
Riley blinked once. "...Huh?"
Emilia didn’t even attempt to explain. Instead, she took a small step closer, rising on her toes.
Her eyes closed tightly, her face red to her ears, and before Riley could even form another word—
Their lips t.
A blinding golden light burst around them like a small sunrise.
The runes on the floor responded instantly, glowing brighter, divine energy rippling through the air in gentle, pulsing waves.
The warmth was pure, almost holy—soothing yet overwhelming all at once.
anwhile, Snow—sitting quietly in the corner—watched with her blue eyes dimming slightly, her expression unreadable.
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